Politicians across Britain and Ireland attend funeral of Belfast journalist

Politicians from across Britain and Ireland have attended the funeral of Lyra McKee, the 29-year-old journalist shot dead by the New IRA during disturbances in Derry on 18 April.

The Tánaiste Simon Coveney, Minister Katherine Zappone, British Prime Minister Theresa May and Northern Ireland Secretary Karen Bradley represented the Irish and British Governments at the ecumenical service in St Anne’s Cathedral, Belfast.

Hundreds attended the service as the Church of Ireland cathedral filled up before it began at 1pm. Crowds also waited outside and clapped as the coffin of the Ms McKee was brought out.

Many colleagues, friends, members of Lyra’s family and her partner were also at the service. Mourners were told that Lyra was going to propose to her partner, Sarah in May in New York. The wedding was to take place in Donegal.

Northern Ireland party leaders, opposition leaders from most of the main political parties in Britain and Ireland also were in attendance.

Standing ovation

The priest who concelebrated the service, Fr Martin Magill challenged politicians representing the main Northern Ireland parties to get talking to being back Stormont.

In an extraordinary moment, the congregation applauded, then stood, even before Fr Magill had finished his sentence.

Lyra McKee, who was born in Belfast, but had lived in Derry was a member of the National Union of Journalists and members of the union formed a guard of honour following the end of the service.

Solidarity

Journalists who cannot attend the funeral are being asked to take part in a ‘symbolic action of solidarity’ if possible at 1pm, the start time for the service, or at some point during the day.

“Whether you are in a newsroom, at lunch or working alone please take a stand for journalism and encourage those around you to join in a simple gesture of solidarity. “

-NUJ﻿

To coincide with Lyra’s funeral NUJ members organised a vigil in Glasgow for 1pm at Buchanan Street Steps, Glasgow. At the same time, there was also a vigil in London at St Bride’s Church on Fleet Street. The church has been dedicated as a place of vigil for the whole day.

Books of condolences were also available at the receptions in Headland House, the NUJ’s London headquarters, and also in Dublin.

In a statement, the family of Lyra McKee said she was ‘a friend to all, a gentle innocent soul who wouldn’t wish ill on anyone’.

“Such a warm and innocent heart, she was the greatest listener, someone who had time for everyone.”

The family also asked that they be given privacy in the coming days and weeks to deal with the ‘trauma’ of Lyra’s ‘sudden and tragic death’.

A donation page set up by colleagues of the Belfast-born writer raised the £60,000 target by 9am on the morning of the funeral, 24 April. All the money ‘will go to the family of Lyra McKee for funeral expenses and to decide on her legacy’.

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